Month: May 1998

Are sperm counts on the decline? Federal researchers hope they can find out. The government is about to launch the largest project ever to find out if something’s gone wrong with male reproductive health. The study will follow a recent report from the California Department of Health Services that startled the scientific community. The study found a significant drop in sperm count and raised questions about whether environmental chemicals are the culprit. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Julie Edelson Halpert has more:

A U-S/Canadian Great Lakes Commission is calling on both countries tobegin monitoring radiation levels on the Great Lakes. Fall-out fromnuclear weapons testing and nuclear power plants has lead to concernsabout its effects on people and the environment. The Great Lakes RadioConsortium’s Mike Simonson reports:

The expansion of large scale hog and chicken farms continues to be acontroversial issue throughout much of the Midwest. The foul odor fromthe animal manure has angered rural residents. Now, scientists aretrying to minimize the stench by learning what makes manure smell sobad. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Steve Frenkel reports:

As we prepare our gardens for the growing season, we contribute to the31 million tons of yard waste produced annually. Great Lakes RadioConsortium Commentator Bob Lilienfeld offers suggestions on how toreduce some of that waste:

High-risk fire conditions are expected to continue for another fewweeks across the Midwest. Firefighting crews are on standby, hoping toprotect not only forests, but also the fast-growing number of homes andcabins. In Wisconsin, they’re trying a new tool they hope will keepfires under control. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Mike Simonsonreports:

Scientists say they’re getting closer to finding out what’s causingfrog deformities in the Great Lakes Region. Some contend that chemicalpollution has become the prime suspect. But others say theinvestigation still needs to look elsewhere. The Great Lakes RadioConsortium’s Chuck Quirmbach reports:

We’re all familiar with water and air pollution. More recently, noisepollution became an accepted concept. And now there’s another sensorypollutant on the scene: it’s light pollution. The Great Lakes RadioConsortium’s Wendy Nelson explains: